Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares revealed on Wednesday in the Spanish Parliament what he described as the “hypocrisy” of the opposition Popular Party (PP) on the Sahara issue. Publicly, the party rejects Madrid’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan, while behind the scenes, it reportedly sends delegations to Rabat to back the same initiative.
A Heated Parliamentary Confrontation
During a tense parliamentary debate with PP deputies, Albares did not hesitate to call their conduct “duplicitous and absurd,” emphasizing that the party’s actions harm Spain’s international image. He also accused the PP of attempting to “sabotage Spanish diplomacy” on multiple fronts, including European funds, recognition of official languages, and even the friendship treaty with France, while spreading “rumors” about a possible gas supply cut from Algeria.
Spanish Foreign Minister Exposes Opposition’s Double Game: PP Sends Secret Envoys to Morocco pic.twitter.com/r2admtl2gs
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This parliamentary session, marked by direct exchanges of accusations, highlighted Albares’ central point: the PP’s double stance damages Spain’s external image.
Moroccan Context: Nizar Baraka’s Efforts
On the Moroccan side, Nizar Baraka, Secretary General of the Istiqlal Party and Minister of Equipment and Water, has played a key role in encouraging the PP to support Morocco’s autonomy proposal. Over recent months, he has conducted a series of diplomatic initiatives to align the Spanish opposition with the official stance of the Pedro Sánchez government, which has supported the initiative since March 2022.
According to Europa Press, Baraka stressed that the Sahara issue should be approached “from a strategic perspective, beyond partisan considerations,” adding that supporting Morocco would not only serve bilateral interests but also contribute to regional stability, curb irregular migration, and strengthen economic cooperation between Rabat and Madrid.
Mixed Messages and Outcomes
Despite these efforts, tensions remain. The PP justifies its caution by citing the government’s lack of “sufficient justification” for unilaterally changing Spain’s historical stance, particularly after a Polisario representative participated in a party conference. Baraka, however, remains confident that “his friends” in the PP will eventually take a positive step in favor of Moroccan autonomy, noting that the Spanish PP belongs to the European People’s Party, where the majority supports Morocco’s territorial integrity.
Analysis: Between Secret Diplomacy and Partisan Politics
This confrontation reflects a broader political phenomenon: the divergence between public discourse and behind-the-scenes action. While the PP seeks to maintain a strong opposition image, its secret contacts with Rabat reveal an attempt to balance partisan interests with European strategy.
Morocco, for its part, monitors these developments closely and leverages flexible diplomacy, securing opposition support while avoiding escalation, demonstrating that pragmatic solutions on the ground can align with cross-border strategic visions.
Conclusion
Between public declarations and secret negotiations, Morocco emerges as a determined actor, capable of leveraging Spanish political complexities to consolidate autonomy as a practical solution to the Sahara conflict, while maintaining stable and strategic bilateral relations.
